Monty

We came home and put away your dishes.   

There wasn’t much, you didn’t need much.

We left your blanket, one of many we gave you since that first one so many years ago.

We hope it will bring comfort to the others.

During a meeting for work I noticed a tongue print on my desk.

You liked to taste everything.

No one noticed when I muted my phone to cry.

We are already talking about you in past tense.   

We laughed at the things you did, at the stuff that drove us crazy when you did them, but just make us laugh now, and then cry.

You were Aaron’s dog first and we always joked that you wanted to get rid of the girls so that Dad and you could have a bachelor pad.   When Ramble came he was included in your plans.

The truth was you loved all of us.  

You were there for us when Sam died, when life kicked us hard, during the move here, during all the ups and downs.  

You were the most difficult dog when it came to other dogs in your space, but you welcomed them all with time and patience. 

Harlow and Ramble miss their big brother.  Abby misses her friend.

We miss you, big guy.   

The house is strangely quiet.   

No one is woofing at me to put dinner down faster, no one is roorroooing at Aaron to produce cookies quicker, no one is at the door barking to come in or better yet - shoving the door open because we took too long.

You fought aging, just like you fought anything that wasn’t your own decision.  

You hated the ramp we put up after your seizure and stroke last year.

Even in your last days you hated that we had to help you up.

You hated that we needed to support you.

You wanted to do it your own way.

I had hoped we could have you with us for Christmas.   

I think I knew we were running out of time.  

I’m glad you got to “escape” into the pasture one more time, harass Aaron to let you out at night even though you didn’t plan to go out, bark at the goats, and sleep at the end of the bed. 

I’m glad I got to walk with you in those last few days, with coffee in hand because I was cold, while you toured the estate.

You looked at me, and I told you were a good boy, and you would wag your tail.

You were the best, Monty.   We will love you forever.